Natural Family Planning (NFP) – simply put – is the combination of using a Fertility Awareness Based Method (FABM) & Proper Discernment.
What does this mean?
It means the science is the science. You can’t change it. The effectiveness of FABMs exists, it works, it’s peer-reviewed, and it’s continuously being researched.
The Catholic Church recognizes the validity and effectiveness of FABMs and doesn’t shy away from it or say we can’t use these methods in marriage to help us in planning our family and implementing this practice (reminder: you don’t have to use NFP!). There are some who would argue that NFP is “too effective” and shouldn’t be used as such. This is illogical and doesn’t make any sense. Again, The Catholic Church doesn’t shy away from its effectiveness. It’s a tool that can be used as such.
But, another core component is needed. Beyond the data & effectiveness is the need for skill-building in and use of proper discernment. The discernment of family life and marriage is ESSENTIAL in creating a holistic view of NFP in order to welcome God into our marriages, so that we can be open to life and live out our vows to โ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ฃ ๐ก๐ค๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ข ๐๐ค๐, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข ๐ช๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ค๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ค๐ ๐พ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐จ ๐พ๐๐ช๐ง๐๐โ. This allows us to embrace the core of our vows; that we will love each other: FREELY, TOTALLY, FAITHFULLY, and FRUITFULLY.
This post is not intending to encompass the myriad of details & nuances of NFP, but rather to provide a sturdy foundation in which to build upon. This is scratching the surface and guiding you as you discern what NFP looks like for you! I want to encourage you to do the work, read the full texts of the Catholic Church, and invite the Holy Spirit into your life as you do this. I’m doing it right alongside you. Go directly to the sources and find the answers. We have to be okay talking about the “grey” of NFP and the reality of the struggles that exist with its use. Just because there’s struggle, doesn’t make it wrong. This is where God can make all things new and turn water into wine in our marriages. We can acknowledge this while we celebrate the joys and goodness of NFP, too.
This is too important to pass up. Whether you’re single, engaged, or married, we are on a continual journey of conversion (metanoia), so let’s do this together and pray for each other.
For more details and information about discernment and helpful texts to read, go here.
