Most people can count on one hand the moments in their lives when they’ve been terrified, heart-pounding scared, rushed with adrenalin. For me, one of them occurred last weekend.

I was flying home after two exciting weeks in Florida with my daughter’s newly expanded family of six.

Though I usually buy non-stop plane tickets, this time the route from Orlando to Chicago included a stop in Pittsburgh. I’d taken time to check Chicago’s wacky weather (not bad at 19 degrees and sunny) but hadn’t checked Pittsburgh.

After an uneventful flight north, our plane began its descent over Pennsylvania and suddenly hit a few rough bumps. The captain came on the intercom, telling us to be sure we were buckled in. “We’re coming into some choppy air,” he said in a calm voice, “and want you to stay safe. By the way, it’s snowing in Pittsburgh at minus-4 degrees.”

Then he instructed the flight attendants to buckle up, too, which seemed well ahead of their usual last-minute sit-downs. “Yes,” the head stewardess said, “tighten your belts. The captain wants to try something new.”

We laughed at her joke, but the plane’s rocking and creaking continued to escalate. Outside our windows we were wrapped in threatening black clouds, despite it being noontime. I tried to read, but my book wouldn’t hold still, bouncing up and down with force.

As we got closer to the ground, the lurching became more pronounced, and our captain came on again. “Ok, folks,” he said, still talking smoothly, “let’s double-check those seat belts. Pull your straps tight, low on the hips. We’ll be landing in a few minutes.”

I hoped on a runway.

As the plane shuddered violently and jerked every-which-way, I wondered how much more it could take before a wing would snap. Normally I loved take-offs and landings, but this time I found myself replaying the last thing I’d said to each of my children.

“This might be it!” I thought, adrenalin surging.

Staccato reflections darted in and out of my head as my heart pounded. “What a shame for our kids to lose their dad and mom so close together. I hope they know how much I love them.”

Suddenly we got a glimpse of the ground, and it seemed shockingly close. “Jesus, here I come!”

The flashing lights at the end of the runway shot beneath us and then boom-BOOM! Our wheels slammed down on a snow- covered runway just a few feet after the pavement began. “Wow!” I thought. “He barely got there!”

Billowing walls of snow surrounded us like a monster wake behind a high speed boat, and we zoomed all the way to the other end of the runway before he could rein in his speed. Passengers applauded, and the flight attendant said, “Welcome to Pittsburgh!”

As my insides began to calm, I thought about a statement Mom frequently made: “Be sure you know your bottom line.”

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)