Some call it being born again!
The barrenness of winter
morphs to spring.
The fragrance of new life
fills the air.

It is glorious!
It’s a rebirth of the soul.
But clouds
can still hide the sun.
Unexpected frost
and unpredicted showers
can upset the equilibrium
of what we thought to be
the new norm.

Frigid nights.
Rainy days.
Snow is still possible.
Muddy trails as well.
The ghost of winter past
is known to haunt.

For the new believer
(and decades-old disciples),
shadows of doubt
and thunderstorms of shame
can threaten the peace
that passes all understanding.

They give cause
for seeking shelter
and finding fellowship
with followers of The Way
who are honest enough
and courageous enough
to admit that the new birth 
comes with complications.

Like a NICU nurse,
the Holy Spirit comforts the weak
attending to the vulnerable
and giving hope
in the midst of confusion!