I have been a Christian. Now I am beyond religion. But I am not beyond intimate awareness and gratitude. I give thanks for my food whether or not I am a Christian.

And I have heard many people say grace. But the thing that surprises me is this. When others say grace it seems a mere formality. It is like they are ordering something at a restaurant, or describing something from a catalog of options.

When I say grace I cannot help beginning to cry. I don’t mean a little tear. I mean my whole body begins to shake, and I fear I will lose my composure completely. I have to fight to retain sufficient composure to continue the verbal expression.

If you are giving thanks but are not moved, and do not cry out in your soul, I think you are not really understanding the whole thing that is actually happening. It is nothing like what most people think.

It is, actually, a miracle.