I read this article this morning from a dear friend and thought it was too good to not pass along, as well as give you our personal experience with.
"When Eamon and I got engaged, part of our marriage counseling was decided what for of birth control we wanted to use. Both being virgins it was a whole new world for both of us. But, the decision did seem simple-neither of us put drugs in our bodies [prescription or otherwise] for many, many years so why start now. We agreed that sex just wouldn't be fun til I graduated from college.
When I told our pastor and his wife this, we were met with total opposition. Words like "irresponsible," and "stewardship" were met with phrases like "added stress to young marriage" and "unwanted surprises". We were shocked. I felt DEEPLY about this and had NO IDEA that the Christian community-not only that I belonged to, but nationwide thought the tenth commandment was to take your Pill after your "alone time" with God every morning. And again, shocked I was.
Eighteen year old me began to do my research, because I TRULY felt that there was something more here, something sinister that was being hidden under the commercials of women living their lives so much happier because they were without child. When I found this...all bets were off.
When I started preaching the ugly truth I was met with "well, I have a really irregular period, so my doctor prescribed it anyway" and "I have acne and this seems to be the only way to deal with it" and even "Well, I've got to keep my hormones in check SOMEHOW!" There was no getting through to these women. But what about married women? Married women that WERE taking it so they could continue to live "their lives" which required no children. I KNEW that these Christian women were against abortion, so I was hopeful.
Nope, same story. "Stewardship," "responsibility," and now "conviction" were being thrown around like a baby seal between two killer whales. Lifeless, shredded, limp words that had been regurgitated so much by their peers that I assume they believed that they still carried weight.
We used TCOYF for a few months and then got pregnant. There were some women who I had spoke to who looked at me like I "got what I deserved." The ugly truth that pregnancy- EVEN FOR A MARRIED WOMAN- at a young age is not only frowned upon in our post feminine world, but a punishment from God for not being "responsible."
After my the red on my "letter A" started to fade, I started to dig again. Not only did I find that this Pill was a weapon of mass destruction, I found that a VERY SMALL MINORITY of Christian women who were taking it prayed with their husbands over the decision! That this was a mere dinner conversation or text message, and BOOM! life decision made. But what was a relief is that I found that the majority of women who had stopped using the Pill, or other forms of contraceptives had done so AFTER praying about it with their husband! Testimony after testimony was given to me of the unbearable conviction that both husband AND wife were laden with, that they could no longer continue as they were. Regardless of what it did to their career, or there budget, or their lifestyle.
I have sadly given up my career as "whistle blower" for various reasons, but one thing I still stress to ALL newlyweds, and even couples who have been married for years is to pray fervently and INTENSELY about what decision is right for your family, together. True conviction from the Lord can never be combated against.
Thank you so much for writing this Heather. I hope you are blessed graciously for shedding a light that many of us our afraid to, or have just given up because our arms are tired. Bravo."
Please, please, please. If you or someone you know is taking the pill, have them read this article. There are more important things in life than "fewer periods."