Mrs. Kate sings in a bar for 1st time

It was early Sunday evening and I was staying alone at the house of a friend in Bloomington, IN.  I took a walk and was praying, “God, what do You want me to do tonight?”  I thought, “I should be singing somewhere.”  I’m a sing-a-holic, especially when on tour.

The idea came into my head to see if there were any open mikes in Bloomington on a Sunday night.  I googled and found a Comedy Open Mike listed at a hole in the wall bar called Hoppy Wobbles.  Hmmm, should I or shouldn’t I?  Preacher’s wife singing in a bar?  WAY outside my comfort zone!  Precisely the reason I should probably be brave and just do it.

Hoppy Wobbles Bar, Bloomington, IN

I drove to the bar and walked in with my guitar and signed up for the open mike.  There were quite a few people on the list.  I had to assure the barkeep that I did in fact have some funny songs that I could sing.  I chatted with a woman named Amy, the only other woman signed up. 

One thing you may (or may not) know about me is that I hate bad words, profanity and vulgarity.  There were about 7 comedians performing before me.  I listened to a whole hour of the most intense profanity and vulgarity I had ever heard in my whole life.  It was not easy to listen to and I did not find their stories funny at all.  Even the audience members’ laughs seemed forced. 

When my turn came, I sang 2 squeaky-clean humorous songs, one about an obsessive-compulsive wiper (Wanda the Wiper), and the other about an obsessive-compulsive hoarder.  I did okay and the response was smiles and polite clapping.  I have no idea what they really thought about my songs/humor.

The hour was late, and I drove back to my lodging.  I wondered why God would direct me to such a place.  I could’ve stopped at a church and gone to a “comfortable” evening service, where everyone believed as I do.  After pondering this, I came up with 2 answers.  Number one:  We live in a very dark and lost world, and these stand-up comics need to have an encounter with the One who loves them most, Jesus.  Number two:  God wants me to pray for these people and others like them.  I added Stand-up Comedians to my growing prayer list.

Would I do it again? Yes.  I think I’ll be better informed and prayed up before I would attempt such a thing.  I also had to ask God to cleanse my brain of all the yucky stuff that I heard.  (Thought Life Victory Song). He was faithful to answer that prayer.  What will be my next adventure? I hope I’ll always have the courage to say YES and hop outside my comfort zone.