(This post is originally appeared in the Photo365 Project. See more photos from my project online at 365.katherinebruder.com)

Every year the Ford Motor Company plants hundreds of sunflowers in the fields they own in Dearborn.

Last year, while the flowers were in bloom, I took these two photos that were a part of my collection at the Fall into Dearborn art fair in October. Usually, the flowers are mowed down before it snows but this year they remained up throughout the entire winter.

It wasn’t until a few days ago that I had the idea to take photos of these dead and formerly beautiful and colorful flowers. I told my mother that when I took the photos, I would be using the photos as one of my 365 days. She was puzzled by why I would want to take and share such an unappealing image, something so dark and gloomy.

Sunflowers have become something of a special flower within my family and church family at First Presbyterian. Through our volunteer work and support of Scripture Union Peru’s abandoned boys program, Programa Girasoles (the Sunflower Program), the sunflower has become somewhat of a symbol of change, rebirth, and hope.

Applying this idea to the two photos and the work that Scripture Union is doing with the formerly abandoned boys in Peru, these two photos show the same thing – both photos are of a sunflower at two different stages in life. Or, are they photos of one of the many formerly abandoned boys that were “dead in life” and now are thriving and flourishing in life with Jesus?

It’s up to you.