My neighbor Bill sent this to me in an e-mail, and I wanted to share it with you here. It’s about the power of “Louisiana Friends” and how they go over and beyond what most of the country is accustomed. In the last several months, I’ve been describing our church as friends helping one another be authentic followers of Jesus. I believe that people are hungry for community. People are lonely and are looking for someone who will care for them. Perhaps the list below should describe friends who are friends in Christ more than anything else, and perhaps Louisianians are the ones who catch on the quickest. My pastor back home in Alabama pointed out that many churches are friendly, but people need more than friendly church members. They need friends.

Okay, here’s the e-mail Bill sent me. I think you’ll find it cute.

FRIENDS: Never ask for food.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Always bring the food.

FRIENDS: Will say ‘hello’.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.

 FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Cry with you.

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, playing dominoes or cards and just being together.

FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds’ back-ends that left you.

FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, ‘I’m home!’

FRIENDS: will visit you in jail.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: will spend the night in jail with you.

FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you’re sick

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: will cut your grass and clean your house then come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you come home

FRIENDS: have you on speed dial

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: have your number memorized.

FRIENDS: Are for a while.

LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Are for life.