5 Reasons I Love Storms

In the past week 3 storms have hit my local area, more intense than we have had in a long time. There was lightning, pouring rain, up to 70mph winds, hail in some areas, and a whole lot of damage.

The ceiling of Cowan Hall at Otterbein University

The front lawn of Towers at Otterbein University

My Back porch after only the first gust of wind

So the damage is not what I enjoy about storms, and the millions of people without power is not either, but I really do love storms. And here is why:

1. They add a little bit of excitement to your day. We obviously do not put storms into our schedule, and they are not routine at all. There are times that we can tell by the radar that a storm will arrive sometime this evening, but we never know for sure what they are going to do. Some storms we never even expect to come, one of the 3 was just that. This first storm arrived so suddenly after a bright sunny and VERY hot day. After a dull afternoon, watching the storm come in, the power going out, and the display of lightning and wind acted as sort of an entertainment.

2. Relaxation. Okay, this is sort of the opposite of number one, but it applies to the feeling before and after a big storm, or smaller, less eventful storms. I love the sound and feel of rain. I could sit (INSIDE) and watch rain, listen to music, and sometimes write for hours. I take the best naps when it rains, and I just feel in a very thoughtful and peaceful mood. I also love to watch lightning and hear thunder. I think it is the perfect background noise for relaxing. My favorite is the quiet rolling thunder as a storm is coming or going. The wavering lightning flashes in the distance are beautiful and calming. In the hot summer days of thick moist air, right before night time you can see it in the distance and it is wonderful.

3. Power Outages. (This one is sort of a love-hate relationship). When the power is out my family usually gathers in one area so to share the small bit of light we do have, and it usually turns into a good time. Storms seem to give my sisters and I energy, probably through the excitement of it. We act years younger than we are, and it is a good time. My sisters (and father usually) share my enjoyment of watching storms so we tend to do that together as well. I can remember times standing in to garage watching clouds come in, both here and on vacation, as well as my sisters and I running out into the rain just because. 

4. Evidence of God. What storms can do (both good and bad) is INCREDIBLE. No other force of nature or man can eliminate electricity for millions of people, create such a spectacle as thunder and lightning, and create the havoc a storm can. I am not a big outdoors kind of girl, so while some may find the beauty of nature a way to appreciate what God has done, I tend to get distracted by my hatred for bugs, humidity and dirt, and that gets in my way. Because I can watch storms from the comfort of my own home, I can marvel at what amazing things that God can create, and the power shown in those storms. The beauty in the "show" created by God and what God can also take away in the damage. AMAZING