What Now?

Being out of the game of football is strange for me. I like it but I don’t. Now that I’m not working all day every day, I have more time to spend with my family at home. Working as a FOX analyst I am learning to balance a new work life with my home life.

My wife and I know our strengths and weaknesses and we’re able to encourage each other in those areas. Being at home more, watching my wife work so hard, I’m enjoying being able to help her with the kids and the cooking. Since the Super Bowl I’ve gotten into the swing of things around the house. You might even call me Dad Uber, dropping off and picking up our four kids from school, sports, or guitar lessons.

My dad was there for me every day of my childhood, but he wasn’t there from the standpoint of taking me to school and picking me up every day. Since he was in the Army, he had early mornings and late nights. While I know that I might not always be able to spend such intentional time with my kids, I’m soaking up every moment of it right now.

My wife and I didn’t grow up with money. We try to show our kids that we live a normal life just like everyone else. One of the ways we aim to teach our kids about generosity is on their birthday. Every year for our kids’ birthdays they have the choice to either get presents from family or have a party with all their friends. If they choose to have a party with friends they are to take all the presents that their friends bring them and donate them to a local children’s hospital. They almost always choose the latter option.

This last year, my oldest daughter, Talya, chose to have her friends over for her tenth birthday. It gave me so much joy to go to the hospital with Talya and watch her give her presents to the other kids. She went in and introduced herself to a nurse, sharing her desire to give her birthday presents to the kids in the hospital. The nurse was stunned! I was so proud and even teared up to hear the joy she had in her generosity.

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” —Matthew 10:42

It’s these moments that I wouldn’t want to miss out on. I’m thankful that I have the time to be here.

—Charles Tillman
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