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NFP for Men
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Isn't this a "women's issue?"We live in a culture that blurs the distinction between male and female, while simultaneously distinguishing between the sexes. In God's infinite goodness, He made these differences complimentary and has a purpose for us. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is not simply a "women's issue," but an invitation for couples to be drawn closer together in admiration of God's design of women, the intricacies of fertility, and overall expressions of intimacy.
NFP sees the individual and works with the couple to better understand God's incredible design. It is not a one-size fits all approach to health and fertility. It's important to realize that NFP isn't simply one good option among other good options for couples; it is the only option that doesn't violate at least one of the norms for the marital act: to be unitive (brining the couple together) and procreative (open to life). We are called to love our wives fully, and NFP helps us to accomplish that by understanding how God made them. -
"Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her...
So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself."
(Eph. 5: 25, 28) -
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The Secret to Marital HappinessAsk any husband who has reached his golden wedding anniversary to share his secret to marital success. In nearly every case, great marital communication is the foundation of a long and happy marriage. When husbands and wives rely on God's grace in times of joy and difficulty, and regularly communicate their mutual love and acceptance, they can achieve the kind of marital happiness all couples long for.In any healthy marriage, intimacy and communication go hand in hand. To know and to be known is the key to marital intimacy. To reach the deepest level of intimacy, spouses must be able to give themselves to each other completely with vulnerability, trust and acceptance. In Catholic marriage, sexual intimacy can be a beautiful expression of the total self-giving of husband and wife. The sexual relationship in marriage is a great gift, but especially when it reaches the level of a true one-flesh union - when two become one.
Natural Family Planning is a Key to Marital Happiness
Natural Family Planning is a key to marital happiness... it allows for the total self-giving of husbands and wives as they express their love sexually - there are no barriers; their union is complete. It also requires discipline, sacrifice and constant communication. That means that both husband and wife must be fully invested, and yes, NFP for men means that at times husbands will need to forgo sex for other ways to express their love for their wives. So where does the marital happiness come in?Despite the challenges, the common responses of men who fully embrace NFP include sentiments like these:
:- I see my wife in a new light. I see her fertility as a miraculous gift and find that I value her more as a woman and equal partner in our marriage. She is unique, unrepeatable and made in God's image.
- I find that even though abstaining from sex can be difficult, when we come back together our lovemaking is even more pleasurable and makes our love stronger.
- I can see that communicating with my wife regularly about her cycle and hormonal changes helps me understand her better; the result is that she feels more respected.
- Together we can see the hand of God in our marriage; we are more open to trusting in God's plan for our family and we make better decisions because they are inspired by God's generosity.
- We see our children as miraculous gifts from God.
- By understanding the science of fertility awareness-based methods we have more control over our bodies and our combined reproductive health.
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- I see my wife in a new light. I see her fertility as a miraculous gift and find that I value her more as a woman and equal partner in our marriage. She is unique, unrepeatable and made in God's image.