The Least is Greatest
- Ottawa Innercity Ministries
- Dec 3, 2025
- 2 min read
A true account at the OIM Thanksgiving dinner.
Last and Least
He was the last guest to arrive -
restless, cheery, sweet.
So young and simple to have to survive
the wiles of the street.
“I’m 19 days clean from crack!”
he told me with a smile.
A fist bump, a big smile back -
this young man has no guile.
His story was touching and sad -
as he kindly praised the food.
He had obviously been treated bad -
but, wow, such gratitude!
Last to arrive, the coffee was finished.
“It’s okay”, he said, “at least the hot chocolate is amazing!”
One of those the world would call least.
(I had actually been offered and was drinking the last cup of coffee as he wandered in off the street. Jesus, is there a lesson for me here?)
We talked for awhile, but, just like that, he had to go -
back out to the street that can be so cruel, they know.
I secretly hoped to meet him again, this least last one.
Walking back to our car, guess who we met?
Yup, my pleasant friend, still smiling yet.
“Can I walk you ladies back to your car?
Streets here can be rough.”
Spoken just like my own sons, near and far.
This is tear-bringing stuff.
A gentleman at heart the world would chew up and spit out.
“Humanity out here, please don’t hurt him!” I wanted to shout.
(What if this was my son, and someone else was me? Jesus, teach us how to love the least.)
I hope it’s not my last time to meet this least one.
I hope to meet him again, this least, last, “last but not least one.”
“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.”
Matthew 25:40
Jesus also said, “For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Luke 9:48
~ Grandma, an OIM Volunteer
He was the last to arrive, yet his spirit was bright, sharing proudly, “I’m 19 days clean from crack!” With a grateful smile and kind words for the food, he reminded me how resilience can shine even in hardship. Despite life’s cruelty on the streets, his attitude was inspiring a lesson in gratitude and humility. Reflecting on his story, I realized the importance of support and guidance, just as Online statistics class help provides students with the tools to navigate challenges and succeed. In moments like these, small acts of care can make a big difference.
Reading this story really touched me. It’s amazing how someone considered “the least” by society can show such gratitude, kindness, and humanity. Moments like these remind me that every person has worth and a story that deserves respect and compassion,. It also makes me reflect on my own life and how I can be more mindful and generous toward others, sharing and witnessing experiences like this is powerful, much like when you rely on a Research Methodology Writing Service to bring clarity and understanding to complex topics.. True lessons in empathy often come from the simplest yet most profound encounters.