Hirple – Maranatha’s Our Way Values

I love new words, and I’m pretty excited about a new word I’ve learned over the holidays. Ready for it?

The word is HIRPLE. Sounds weird, right? But here’s what it means: to hirple is to walk with a limp or hobble, like if you’ve hurt your leg and are kind of wobbling along. But guess what? Hirpling isn’t just about your body.

Sometimes, we hirple on the inside, too. Ever had one of those days where nothing goes right, or maybe you feel left out or sad? That’s another kind of hirpling—when our emotions are feeling a little wobbly.

Some hirples are obvious like limping, but not all hirples are obvious. People can emotionally hirple when they’re feeling down, sad, or lonely.

Now, here’s where it gets real. How do we look out for someone who’s hirpling—whether it’s physically or emotionally? That’s where our Maranatha OUR WAY values, the ones Jesus lived out, come into play. When we spot someone who’s hirpling, it’s our job to step in and support them.

Let’s break it down:

1. Help – If you see someone hirple, give them a hand. Whether they’ve fallen or just need a friend, you can be that person to lift them up.
2. Include – No one should feel left out or feel on the outer. If someone’s hirpling on the inside, or it looks like they’re on the outer, invite them in. Being included can totally change their day.
3. Respect – Respect means noticing when someone’s struggling and showing kindness, not making fun of them. It means being curious not judgemental when someone is having a hard time.
4. Protect – We’ve got each other’s backs. That means protecting each other, not just from physical harm but from hurt feelings, too.
5. Love – Love is one of the most powerful ways to help someone who’s hirpling. A simple smile, a listening ear—these things matter.
6. Encourage – A little encouragement can go a long way. Just like you’d cheer your friends on during a game, give someone a boost when life gets tough.

Now, here’s something pretty cool—check out the first letters of each of our values:

H  I  R  P  L  E—they spell HIRPLE!

So, here’s our challenge: the next time we see someone who’s hirpling, whether it’s their body, heart, or mind that’s wobbling, let’s remember our values. Let’s make a difference, let’s be Jesus’ heart, hands and feet, and make sure no one in our school hirples alone.