Dear Sisters,

There were three of them. They stood in a perfect "V" shape just a few steps directly in front of my beach chair. The seagull in the front was apparently the spokesbird for the group. Evidently, it was his job to negotiate for beachside snacks. The three were diligent in their quest and they stood like soldiers just staring at me for the longest time.

After about 30 minutes, it started to get really funny. So, I leaned forward in my chair, and yes, I spoke to my seaside friends. "I am sorry, guys, but I don't have anything to offer you." I said. They perked up and in total unison all took one giant step forward. How funny! I got really tickled at the beautiful orchestration.

Bizarre things always happen to me on the beach and this October trip was no exception.

I leaned back in my chair, shook my head and began reading my book. My audience continued to stand and stare. I would glance up every now and then to have a look. Their persistence was actually very impressive. Lots of time passed by and there they stood, perfect triangle and all. I suppose the lead bird had finally had enough and decided that drastic measures should be taken. When he thought I wasn't looking, he very gently and subtly tucked his leg under his wing. When his leg was tucked, he appeared to be wounded and crippled, standing with only one leg. As he did, I happened to look directly at him and I promise you his face took on the most pitiful expression. He even cried for help with his eyes. He blinked so very slowly and dramatically. Then droopy eyed and forlorn, he took a crippled and hobbled step forward. Bravo! What a performance. I said to my actor friend, "You can put on quite a show. I actually wish I had something to give you for that amazing effort."

What makes this even more comical is that my daughter and I have visited this beach spot on many occasions and we always seem to run into what we think is a one-legged seagull. We would feel so sorry for our feathered friend and would always share a snack. Our heartstrings were so pulled that Kendall even named one of the little birds "Peg" and we hung out with the silly bird. Now I am wondering how many times we were flat out fooled! How many times did we get the "tucking your leg under your wing" act and didn't even know?

This beach encounter made me think about that saying, "Things are not always what they seem." Often what we see on the outside is not truth. We live in a world of deceit. We hear more and more about being cautious with personal information, being on guard for things like identity theft, watching our backs, our homes and being prepared for those who would prey on our emotions to get a foot in the door of our personal lives, all with deceitful and harmful motives.

The Bible cautions us, through several scriptures to take "heed". For example in Mark 13:5 Jesus says, "Take heed that no one deceives you." He is referring to the fact that "many" would come in his name, not in the name of Jesus, but saying I am the Christ, claiming to hold the title and have the credentials that only Jesus is entitled to. So the advice of Jesus is to take heed, to be awakened to be on the lookout for the deceiver.

I did a little research and found that the word "heed" in the Greek is used in a variety of tenses throughout the Bible. It derives from the root word optomai or optanomai which reminded me very much of our English word ophthalmology, the branch of medicine devoted to the study and care of the eye. Used throughout the scriptures, "heed" takes on many meanings but all in the realm of watching, looking or seeing. In some instances, the word means voluntary observation. In other passages we find this meaning: casual, mechanical or passive vision. It also means an earnest, intensive and continual inspection. Bottom line, we have to take "heed", make an intentional, conscious effort and look so that we are not deceived.

As you walk this life journey, trials and situations will come your way. There will be many who will walk along beside you, some with Godly intentions, praying and advising the best for you completely in the center of God's will. Then, you will have others who will give you compromising advice, who will guide you far from the truth of God's word.

The question then is, "where do we cast our vision?" We have only one place to look and that is to the one who is Truth. Any advice that is contradictory to the word of God, you can take this to the bank, it's a false word. It is deceit and will lead you down the road of destruction. To be deceived means to be mislead by a false appearance or statement. Deceit may come at you covered with beautiful white feathers and in a setting that makes it believable and even with a delivery that melts your heart. That is the scheme of deceit to come packaged in a believable disguise, but underneath all the fluff all you will find is a big, fat fake.

So, sisters, take heed. You never know when life will pull the "wool over your eyes" or give you the "tucking your leg under your wing" trick. One thing is for sure, sooner or later, you better be lookin' because deceit, my friends, is no respecter of persons.