It’s reasonable to assume that all 24,362 of them will be panting, gasping, and out of breath. A good number of them will eventually collapse with exhaustion, and they all will have voluntarily done this to themselves. As with most marathon runners, all of them will need at least three to seven days of rest and recovery in order to be rejuvenated. Experts tell us that running 26.2 miles impacts a person in a variety of ways, including cardiovascular strain, musculoskeletal damage, metabolic exhaustion, temporary immune system suppression, and mental fatigue. Even I’m getting tired just sitting here thinking about this as at this very moment that I’m writing, those 24,362 registrants are struggling to make it to the finish line in the 2026 Boston Marathon.

It’s not a stretch to think that our children and teens are running a kind of never-ending marathon that’s leaving them physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually exhausted and even deprived. The pace of life for kids growing up in today’s world has become frantic. Like the plate-spinners that used to appear on television variety shows, our kids are struggling to keep pace with a host of competing priorities. There’s intense academic pressure, a heavy schedule of extra-curricular activities, time spent on screens and social media, the cancer of comparison, and the sometimes-unrealistic expectations we as parents put on them. All of this combines in a toxic mix that leaves their lives full of activity and void of downtime. Add to all of this the fact that researchers report that when it comes to those overnight hours when our kids should be getting rest, three out of four adolescents report getting insufficient sleep. One neurologist, Anita Shelgikar, who serves as the President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine says, “It’s an epidemic in our country – the epidemic of adolescent sleep deprivation.” Could it be that we are now raising Generation Ex(haustion) and we’re voluntarily doing this to ourselves?

As this marathon of pressure continues, the toll it’s taking on our kids’ well-being is mounting. Maybe you see your kids “gasping” for rest as they struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, sadness, feelings of loneliness, and even hopelessness.

Since we as parents are called by God to nurture our children in the faith, protect them from harm, and provide for their well-being, it’s imperative that we push back on any cultural narrative or practices that are contributing to this never-ending pace of living that’s actually sucking the life out of our kids. One first step we can take is to slow down the hurry while ramping up a commitment to Sabbath rest.

In the Genesis creation narrative, we see that after working for six days at the task of creation, God Himself set a pattern for His image-bearers to follow by taking one day to rest. In Genesis 2:2 we read that God ceased from His labor. We are told by God Himself that this day of rest led to being “refreshed” (Exodus 31:17). The Fourth Commandment requires us to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy (set apart from all other days). The translation of the Hebrew word for Sabbath is best translated as “cease” or “desist”, which clearly reminds us of our need to rest. Even here where I live in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, we see the hard-working Amish plow-horses meandering in the fields without work on their Sunday Sabbath!

Let me offer three suggestions for how to get started on experiencing the joy, rest, and refreshment that will come for you and your kids as you take steps to practice Sabbath.

First, make it a priority to attend worship on the Lord’s Day. While the Old Testament Jews celebrated the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week, Christians have chosen to Sabbath on the first day of the week as a remembrance of the day of the Lord’s resurrection. Clear your calendar each week to make gathering together as a family to attend worship your #1 priority. Don’t allow youth sports or any other good activity to become so ultimate that you forsake time worshipping and sitting under the teaching of God’s Word week after week.

Second, eliminate the hurried rhythm of life that tends to fill every other day of the week. Engage only in those activities that are restful and refreshing. Teach your kids to complete all their schoolwork by Saturday evening in order to keep Sunday study-free. Engage in a family activity. And by all means, make plans to take a nap!

And third, shut down the electronics. With the statistics on daily amount of screen time heading off the charts, put the social media and smartphones away. Turning off the television in order to be quietly in the presence of God and each other is a step that might be difficult, but transformative.

Parents, as you set the tone for embracing the celebration and keeping of Sabbath rest in your family, you will be setting a counter-cultural rhythm that honors and obeys God, while nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of each member of your family. You will be inviting your kids into establishing the habit of tethering themselves with great joy to a sacred anchor that will build their faith – refreshing mind, body, and spirit – both now and in the future!