Small Actions Done Faithfully = Big Results
I’m really good at procrastinating. In fact, it might be considered one of my superpowers. I’ll put that laundry away…tonight. I’ll start tracking my meals again…on Monday. That library book can be returned…next week. Did you know that moderate procrastination can actually enhance creativity and problem solving – even better than coffee? I told you, it’s a superpower.
Freedom
The older I get, though, I appreciate the true benefit and freedom of tackling a task early and checking it off my list (checklists are my other superpower). In the words of St. John Paul II, “The future starts today, not tomorrow”. My inner dialogue has become, “What can I do today that will benefit Future me?” Prepping my lunches on Sunday makes packing in the mornings less stressful. Getting the coffee machine ready for the next morning. Reviewing the weekly schedule with my family helps us communicate our plans and expectations more effectively. When I first started using NFP, I struggled being consistent. It took discipline to chart each day. But little by little, the temperatures I tracked each morning have woven together weeks, months, and years of patterns; creating a new habit and telling the story of my fertility and our family.
Cups for Couples
Keeping with this philosophy of starting small, we launched our “Cups for Couples” campaign two years ago. By donating just $5/month, the cost of a cup of coffee (or tea, or smoothie), you can support other couples by sharing the message of NFP through our Natural Plan and Marriage Prep STM Classes. Your gift to CCL allows us to offer scholarships for these and other programs. Effective fertility awareness in line with Church teaching is crucial to better understand fertility, health, and family. You’re providing an alternative to contraception and a defense against secular culture.
St Drogo & Coffee
Of course, as a Catholic organization, we needed a patron saint for our initiative. Enter St. Drogo, the patron saint of coffee. St. Drogo lived a humble life and gave away much of what he had. In return, he was blessed with extraordinary spiritual gifts. There are several speculations as to why he’s the patron of coffee, one being that he survived the fiery destruction of the church at Sebourg unharmed, much like a coffee bean is transformed by fire without being destroyed by it. Whatever the reason, we quickly adopted him to intercede for our “Cups for Couples” campaign.
As you start to implement new habits of giving in your marriage, I encourage you to start small – like offering up one cup of coffee a month. Just like Future me is grateful for the little things I’m doing today, Future Couples will be so incredibly grateful for you paving the way for them to learn NFP. Now, that’s a superpower! St. Drogo, pray for us.
Learn more about making a donation to Couple to Couple League here.