Hi Tim,
I’ve never written to a stranger like this before, but I feel it’s very necessary. I tried to write on your website, but I don’t think it worked. I’m a 46 yr old graduate student going for my Masters degree in Counseling. While doing research tonight, I stumbled upon this “Hat Man” topic and it took my breath away. Here is a bit of my story.
Throughout my childhood & adolescent years, I had a re-occuring dream of a tall man wearing a black trenchcoat and brimmed hat standing in the corner of my room. It was too dark to see his face; his presence alone was terrifying. I knew he meant to do me harm, but for some reason, he never moved, nor did he ever speak. However, that did not stop my screams. My family had to live with my weekly nightmares until I left home for college.
When I was 36 years old, tattered and worn out from a messed up life, I gave my life up to Jesus Christ (actually, He came and took it, thankfully). Now I know who that “Hat Man” in my dreams was: Satan. I also know the reason he never moved nor spoke…God was holding him back & rendering him mute.
Reading your reply to Sean on your website gave me great insight. Looking back, I had an alcoholic father and lived in a tumultuous & dysfunctional household. When I was 5 years old, I remember being obsessed with witches. I wanted to be one in the worst way, so I regularly checked out all the witch books the library had. I pretended I had powers and I practiced casting spells…in Kindegarten. My teen years were full of rebellion, drugs, & alcohol. It makes sense that Satan would want to be around to watch these destructive events unfold.
But God knew the plans He had for me. My Lord & savior, Jesus Christ, created me before the world began to be His servant…and nothing can keep that from happening. I had to go through a lot of junk, but look what He did for us on the cross! I will go through whatever God wants me to because I know I am secure in Him. I always was and always will be.
Good luck with your project and keep preaching the Word! God Bless you.
Becky