I was catching up on some reading about NFP and found one letter quite interesting. The man who wrote it had been practicing NFP for 18 years and absolutely hated it. He believed it killed the romance in his marriage and led to unreasonable and harmful amounts of abstinence since his wife wasn't interested during the infertile times.
That is truly a painful story to read about and I hope my teaching will help students realize the true, and sometimes hidden, potential of NFP. And, before I go any further, I have to give a shout out to my wonderful husband who took me out to dinner last night. He always finds great new places for us to try. I must say I have an amazing marriage and an even more amazing husband. He has embraced the blessings of NFP and takes time to make it work. I'm not ignored when I'm fertile - I am romanced and supported.
Taking the time to send a sweet email, bring home flowers, watch (*ahem* nap) to Sunday football games together, go out to dinner, and so many other activities we enjoy together keeps our relationship strong at all times. It comes back to a popular marriage tip: never stop dating each other.
It is humbling to know how much my husband serves me and how I need to do that in return. He takes care of me when I'm not feeling well, humors me when I am craving three different things at once (with only minimal jokes about what I might be like when I'm actually pregnant), and shows love in numerous ways every day. To leave on a positive note, a different articule pointed out something that I find to be true. On days that are fertile, the acts of kindness and love mean a whole lot more. They are truly meant to show deep love and not to move things along to an expected end. I think NFP has brought me to a deeper understanding of my husband's love for me and I thank God for that.
i think i read that same comment by that man too! it was sad, but unfortunately possible if both people don't actively work at their marriage. no one said NFP was going to be easy! in fact, i think using NFP makes the things you need to work on in your marriage more apparent, which is part of the blessing of NFP.
ReplyDeleteanyway, we are also teachers and I must say teaching and sharing NFP has been so rewarding (though difficult at times as well!).
I pray for the best for both of you. Its awesome that you're doing this!