The Pursuit of Happyness (revisited)

This morning during a message at Westside I referred to The Pursuit of Happyness (movie). My message (from Matthew 19:3-14) had an underlying theme of individualism, and how this is often the cause of marital breakdowns.

I loved this movie. It's inspiring and moving. But it always left a sad feeling in me that in the pursuit of happiness, a marriage would be the one to suffer.

I watched the movie again tonight, and was struck by the sacrifice and love of Chris Gardner for his son. Hearing live interviews with the real Chris Gardner (true story), you sense how hard it was for him to both take care of his son and pursue this opportunity towards success. He mentions how he'd cry inside leaving his son at a terrible day care. He literally slept in subway cars and bathrooms over night because he no money for rent.

Watching the movie again I realize it wasn't just his pursuit of happiness that hurt the marriage, but his wife's decision to leave him.

There's no easy answers. No easy decisions.

In the end... it still leaves a sad feeling in me that marriages breakdown while people pursuing other goals.

Outside of that fact that his marriage failed, this man sacrificed so much so he could provide for his family (son).

I'm torn.

Thanks for reading my rant.