School Supply Scramble
It was January in Nairobi, and the city was alive with its usual buzz. It was the first week of school, and as much as I prided myself on being a planner, this year had been different. Somehow, the holidays had swept me away like a boda boda dodging traffic on Uhuru Highway, leaving me unprepared. So here I was, standing in the chaos of a stationery shop, regretting every life choice that led me to this moment.
The scene was pandemonium. Mothers, fathers, and kids were scrambling like the feeding of the 5,000—only this time, the loaves and fish were overpriced exercise books and mathematical sets. The shopkeeper had a look on his face that screamed, “You should have come in December!” The line at the cashier was long enough to make the Thika Superhighway traffic jam look like child’s play.
I grabbed a trolley and went into battle. My youngest tugged at my dress, demanding glitter pens that “all the other kids have.” My teenager was busy complaining about the “embarrassment” of using last term’s barely touched geometry set. “Mum, everyone will know it’s old!” she hissed, as if this was a capital offense.
The prices were outrageous. A pack of pencils cost as much as a chicken. I thought about Proverbs 21:20: “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” I had clearly gulped down my December budget in the name of holiday merriment, leaving nothing for this January catastrophe.
As I stood there calculating how much I’d need to spend to avoid the wrath of teachers, a thought hit me: the devil is not only a liar, but he clearly owns stationery shops in January. The prices weren’t just high; they were climbing by the minute. By the time I got to the counter, I was convinced inflation had hit between Aisle 1 and Aisle 2.
“Total bill: 15,400 shillings,” the cashier announced. My jaw hit the floor. For what? Books, glue sticks, and a pair of socks? I thought of Luke 14:28: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost?” Why hadn’t I done this in December when prices were reasonable and crowds nonexistent?
I left the shop with a lighter wallet and heavier regret. As we trudged back home through the hustle of Nairobi’s streets, my teenager chirped, “Mum, you forgot the art supplies!” At that moment, I understood why Jonah tried to run from Nineveh.
Moral of the story? Plan ahead, especially when it comes to school shopping. Proverbs 6:6-8 reminds us to be like the ants: “They have no commander, yet they store up their provisions in summer.” Don’t be caught in January’s madness. As for me, I’ve learned my lesson. This is both the first and last time I’ll shop after school opens.
Mark my words—or better yet, let Scripture guide you.
