See God In The Face Of Others
By Paul M. Weyrich

We have just finished, in the Jewish faith, the Feast of the Passover, and in the Christian faith, Easter or Pascha or the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both feasts have been looked upon as new beginnings for their followers. Indeed here in the Washington area, with its gorgeous cherry blossoms and other flowering fruit trees, there is always the sense that we have begun again. Spring comes and at least there is a break from the cold. Spring comes and the beauty of God-created nature takes on a splendor no man made painter could originate. Spring comes and once again there is talk of hope; of the future; of starting over.

As I look at the rows of bright yellow tulips my wife has lovingly planted near our driveway, I can't help but feel a tinge of creation which God each year wants His people to enjoy.

But then reality sets in. Yes, people of faith do further an agenda of greater hope. But you look around you and listen to the sound and sights of war. You cannot but hear the constant rants of the politically correct who demand an ever-steeper price for co-existence with them. You watch the wonton destructiveness of those who have been convinced that there is no hope. They hate. They destroy life. They destroy property. They hate the more. How do we reach such people I ask myself each and every day. I have so much for which to be thankful. I have been given so much. How do I begin to help?

Sure there are projects and programs, well meaning as they are, which I have seen cost a great deal and accomplish very little.

It finally hit me. A young Black man came to see me one day and asked my help. He wanted a job back in his home state. I was able to network him with the right people and he will, in turn, be in a position to do a world of good for his folk. I could use names and places here but I don't want anyone to think that I want to take a tiny iota away from what this man has earned on his own.

He stopped by the other day to say thanks. He said that I had time for him when not everyone did. He said I opened doors which otherwise would have remained shut. My role, frankly, was very minor. It was something anybody in this town who can spare a few minutes can do.

It gave this fellow hope. He has since told me how he is passing that hope on to others. What we did together required no fancy offices, no important-sounding titles, and no big time grants. Nothing that Washington eats up every day.

All that was required was a little bit of time (which none of us is so important that we can't afford)...and a willingness to use a little capital on someone who probably deserves it more than we do.

It was as simple as that. A few calls. A couple of e-mails. Sticking out one's neck for another is the biggest risk involved. Hasn't someone taken a risk for you? They sure have for me. The late Senator Gordon Allott when he hired me as a 24-year old with no Washington experience. The late Joe Coors, who when I was only 29, took a chance on my colleagues and me to start what is now the Heritage Foundation. The late Archbishop Ignatius Ghattas in ordaining me to the Greek Catholic clergy two decades later.

Who am I not to take a risk for someone else?

It is really so easy to do that I am ashamed I do not do more of it. I soothe my conscience by telling myself it is up to people who need help to come to me. Sure, but can't I reach out the other way? You know I can.

I don't mean for this to be preachy. I am just so very grateful for all that has been done for me over the years that I truly want to help. The last thing I want to do is to set up some bureaucratic operation that requires three levels of approval just to make a phone call. Will I make mistakes? I have. I helped an employee and he ended up stealing from me. Those things will happen. That is on his conscience, not mine.

As I look at all that is going on in Washington these days which has nothing to do with a new beginning (the 9/11 Commission comes to mind) isn't it time for each of us, as we have the ability to do so, to take matters in our own hands?

There are young people who still have ideals who we can help. They don't have to leave young adulthood cynical and burned out. If we take just a little time to reach out, the beauty of the universe is going to look oh so much more beautiful. Truly, beauty isn't just nice flowers and gorgeous colors; beauty is that part of God we recognize in the face of others.

Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.