"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Eph. 5:33)

In the early pioneer days there was an older couple who seemingly could not get along because they fought and quarreled continually, and had done so for many years. A new preacher moved into the area and, when he heard of their evil habit, paid them a visit. He said to them, "If you will cooperate, I will teach you a simple lesson that will help you." When they had agreed, he threw a rope up over a tree limb and asked each one to pull on the end of the rope. After they had pulled hard against each other for a while, he asked them to stop, and said, "Now, I want each of you to pull on the same end of the rope." When they did so, they very easily pulled the rope over the tree limb. The preacher said, "Pull together, and not against each other!" He then jumped in his buggy and rode off.