Introducing Roots of Refuge

Picture taken at The Ovens in Nova Scotia. The Ovens is a series of caves carved into the rock by the ocean waves. A pretty neat place to explore.

Welcome! I'm David. 

Ever since I was young, my mother filled our home with plants. Though they may not have always flourished, I loved how they added colour and life to every room.  In many ways, they were early pictures of how God—the Gardener of the soul—works patiently in us, bringing growth and tending what might otherwise wither.

While plants haven’t always been a big focus of my life, they’ve been a constant thread. For several years I studied and trained to be a pastor. After marrying my wife in 2016, I pastored a couple of churches across Canada. 

Then, about three years ago, after a season of life changes, I found myself unexpectedly thrust into the plant kingdom. I began working as a landscaper, and through that work I’ve learned so much—about the needs of plants, their differences, and how to help them thrive.
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Gardening has become more than a job; it’s a passion. I love exploring gardens, browsing local garden centres, and taking photos of stunning plants. This spring, I refreshed the flowerbeds around the home we rent, and it’s been such a joy to watch my daughter begin sharing in the love of gardening too.

But gardening isn’t my only passion—I love writing and ministering as well. And this blog is where those three loves come together: faith, words, and plants—growing side by side.

The name Roots of Refuge draws on the rich imagery found both in Scripture and in the garden. Psalm 1 describes the faithful Christian as “trees planted by streams of water,” rooted and refreshed by Christ and His Word (Col. 2:7). To be rooted in Christ brings stability. To be near streams of living water brings refreshment. And just as plants thrive when they’re surrounded by others and tended by a skilled gardener, so too do we flourish under the care of the Gardener of the soul—Christ Himself, who tends us with divine wisdom and faithful love.

As I’ve spent time in the garden, I’ve noticed how much the plant world teaches us: the need for pruning, the importance of good soil, the blessing of growing near others, the necessity of light and water, and the constant battle against weeds. Each of these simple lessons points me back to the way God cares for us.

​That’s really what this blog is about—encouraging us to be rooted in Christ and to rest in the shelter of His grace. He is the one I want us to meet here. Along the way, I’ll share reflections, poetry, guest writings, and even some resources for family devotions. My hope is that this will be a place where together we can grow deeper in faith and find the refuge God so graciously offers.