You've never really experienced a thunderstorm in California. Maybe you have, but not me. Not like the ones in Michigan. In California you see a flash of lightning and then you count ten one-thousand's (one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand) before the crash of thunder. Then you wait five more minutes before you see another flash of lightning. It's boring I tell you.
In Michigan there's hardly a moment in the sky that it's not lit up by lightning. It's one flash right after another in a continuous roll of thunder. For about half a second I considered counting my one-one-thousands till I realized it'd be worthless. There's no telling what roll of thunder goes with what lightning bolt.
I sat on the porch, my toes just off the edge, and stared at this big bright sky. This is why they say He will come on the clouds with power, I thought. I've probably never seen anything more powerful than a thunderstorm. I sat in awe of His glory and power, and felt the fear that only He could give. A fear of power- God's power.
The rain came down, and rose in capacity. The trees swayed right, and then right some more till I quite literally feared a tornado. But a look at my dad told me all was well. He brushed my cheek and continued inside for a good nights rest but I couldn't find it in me to leave quite yet.
My legs ached and my head grew in pain during each passing minute, but nothing could take my eyes from that glorious display of God's power and love. He was showing me what He could do, and that He alone could do it. Though He can put on quite a show, nothing is more beautiful than the work He does in me, and all of His children.
So I sat on that porch that night, watching the storm pass through. And as I grew nauseous from the flashing of the sky, and my head throbbed to it's core, I felt no greater joy as I smiled up at the sky, my toes soaking in the cold, hard, comforting drops of rain.
