Many of you may think that NFP is just another method of birth control. But there is one major difference. And that is the effect that it has on the relationship. Hopefully, our goal as married couples is that our love making will be special not only in the first year of our marriage, but that we still look forward to making love with each other 15 to 20 years from now.
Often, couples simply turn out the lights and have sex and never talk about how they feel about making love with each other. That may be okay in the beginning, but that can become a thorn in the relationship. The old, he or she rubbing up against you in the night and wanting to have sex without ever talking about it. After a while, it can make you feel a bit used and no longer special. However, with NFP the couple looks at the chart together, discusses their fertility and decides to go make love. It is a subtle but profound difference.
With NFP, we encourage the man to be involved in the charting and the couple to use the method together which in turn creates a more open approach to their sexuality. For a man to be able to pick up a chart and say “this is my wife’s fertility” is a pretty awesome thing. By looking at the chart, the man gains respect for the woman’s fertility and a greater understanding of what a God given gift it is. And, for women, it is very empowering to see your fertility in a chart.