Lessons I’ve Learned From Our Donors and Volunteers
While I can think of plenty of reasons to love NFP, the Sympto-Thermal Method, and CCL itself, a few months ago I found myself wanting to hear, in other people’s own words, what makes them love what we do. So, I took to the phones and started calling donors and volunteers, asking why they go the extra mile to support CCL.
Since then, I have spoken with retired teaching couples who were sharing NFP before the Berlin Wall fell; I have prayed with longtime donors whose spouses are no longer with us; and I have welcomed young couples who found us via the PeakDay app.
Amid prayer, laughter, and some somber moments, the overwhelming majority of these conversations boiled down to three strong statements and simple lessons.
NFP Brings Us Together
Many of the people with whom I spoke – especially those who have practiced NFP for a long time – said they have enjoyed deeper, more meaningful connections with their spouse as a direct result of the practice. I had already seen the statistics and have even experienced it in my own marriage, but hearing it from nearly every couple I spoke with was almost overwhelming. The intentionality and continuous prayerful communication of NFP really does bring us closer to each other.
NFP Helps Us Understand God
Several teaching couples shared that in their classes it is inevitable that at least one person attends with serious reservations about NFP. Whether it’s efficacy questions or moral doubts, there is often someone with strong resistance to the natural method. The teaching couples all shared that by the end of their classes, even the people with some of the strongest objections finished the class with a deeper understanding of God’s love and plan for us.
The Benefits of NFP Stay With Us
Many of my calls were to folks we hadn’t heard from in a little while, retired teachers from CCL or a certain point in life, where fertility becomes less of a focus. Most of these donors and volunteers said they are still enjoying a deep closeness with their spouse, and almost all are grandparents experiencing the joy of a new generation of children because they said “yes” to life. The benefits of NFP, they said, are rich and persistent.
United in Support & Prayer
One thing that has touched me deeply over these past few months is discovering just how much prayer is woven into everything we do at CCL. Every day our staff gathers to pray the Angelus or the Rosary, placing this ministry and the people who make it possible into God’s hands. We pray for our volunteers, teachers, members, donors, and supporters. Whenever we can, we pray for you by name.
I wonder if your story connects with some of the ones I’ve shared. Maybe CCL has been part of your engagement, your marriage, your family, or your faith journey. If it has, I would truly love to hear it. One of the greatest joys of this ministry is seeing how God works in the lives of so many different couples, and your story may be just the encouragement someone else needs.
As we celebrate 55 years of CCL, thank you for being part of this mission. Whether you have been with us for decades or are just beginning your journey, your prayers, generosity, and witness help bring hope to couples and families around the world. Please know that you are remembered, you are appreciated, and you are prayed for every single day.
Written by David Wright. David is the Mission Advancement Specialist at Couple to Couple League. He resides in Western North Carolina with his wife Emma and two children, where he enjoys hiking, fishing, and camping in his spare time.
Go to CCL’s legacy page to support our mission. MyParishNFP has resources for Clergy, Parishes and Couples to learn about and promote NFP.