Something I received about a month ago from Shelley Fletcher:

The Four Candles

The Four Candles burned slowly.
Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...

The first candle said, "I am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to
keep me lit."
Then Peace's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

The second candle says, "I am Faith, but these days, I am no longer
indispensable."
Then Faith's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

Sadly, the third candle spoke, "I am Love and I haven't the strength
to stay lit any longer."
"People put me aside and don't understand my importance.

They even forget to love those who are nearest to them."
And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.

Suddenly...

A child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer
burning.
The child begins to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are
supposed to stay lit until the end."

Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, "Don't be
afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other
candles."
With Shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the
other three candles.

Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life.

With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are...