Call them what you will: pet peeves, sources of irritation, challenges to my tolerant spirit, or simply things that “get my goat.” Whatever you call them, I confess to having a few.

What are the pet peeves that rancor my soul?

In no particular order, here are the annoyances that peeve yours truly:

1. I hate being late.  Punctuality is a virtue. Though my wife calls me a “Time Lord,” I don’t think she is referring to Dr. Who!
2. 3-putts.  Any golfer reading this can relate. The source of nightmares for dimpled ball enthusiasts.
3. Anchovies.  Nothing ruins a pizza faster for me unless it’s black or green olives.
4. Pollen. The golden haze of Spring may serve the pollinating needs of nature but wreaks havoc on my nasal passages.
5. Comedians who cannot tell a joke without vulgar humor. 
6. Spam emails.  I have mixed emotions about capital punishment, but then I think about spammers…
7. Limp bacon. I like it crisp and crunchy, like my mama’s fried okra.
8. Buffet lines that do not go down both sides of the buffet. Efficiency people!
9. Sarcasm. While some people consider sarcasm the natural defense against stupidity, I consider it a punch in the face using words.
10. Loud-mouthed politicos (Left or Right) who shout out their opinions and prefer to call you names rather than engage in a well-reasoned argument or respectful debate.

My list will undoubtedly grow longer as I age and my brain cells reduce to a manageable level.

But I must admit, in the grand scheme of life, my pet peeves seem minor, even disgustingly pretentious.  How dare I complain about the irritations of life in a world where I have almost everything a man could want and live a life most in this world only dream about?

Hey, a hundred years ago, few people had hot water, and now I can take a long, steaming shower anytime I want. So, who am I to complain?  Why should I feel guilty about my self-justified annoyances?

Yet I do.

And then I remember the admonitions of Ephesians 4: 1-3 to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Oh dear, I bet Jesus loved anchovies and olives, too.

But I doubt He ever three-putted.