GENA: John, how old are you? How many years were you homeschooled?

JOHN: I am 27 years old. I attended public and private schools, but I completed high school at home, and that’s where most of my real education took place.

GENA: Now that you are grown, if the Lord gives you a wife and children some day, do you plan to homeschool? Why or why not?

JOHN: I don’t see home education as an option. I see it as a requirement for believing parents. Parents need time to disciple their children in God’s way, freedom to help each child develop his talents, and opportunity for their family to interact with and serve people of different ages and situations.

GENA: What did your parents teach you, other than academics? What did you come away with after having been home educated?

JOHN: My parents taught me the Scriptures so that I could have wisdom leading to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. They showed me that I don’t need to follow the crowd. I can explore and create and enjoy life. They gave me a vision for passing on a heritage of faith to my children and grandchildren and all of my descendants.

GENA: What line of work have you gone into? How did a home education facilitate that work?

JOHN: I work in our family’s homeschool publishing business, Notgrass Company. My parents encouraged my independent pursuit of knowledge and skills, and that has allowed me as a businessman to learn as I go about accounting, web development, computer networking, and marketing.

GENA: From the perspective of a homeschool grad, why is homeschooling the way to go? Any regrets?

JOHN: The public school system threatens children academically, socially, morally, and spiritually. Home education is not a magic-bullet solution that guarantees success. However, when done well, it provides a healthy setting for the development of children into mature, responsible adults.

GENA: If you could give one short message of thanks to your parents and grandparents, what would that be?

JOHN: Thank you for preparing me to know and serve the Lord with my life.

GENA: John, as a mother myself, I can tell you that the words you just spoke are pure gold to a parent’s ears. Nothing can compare. I appreciate you being with us here at The Old Schoolhouse, and I thank you for allowing us to print the lyrics to your wonderful song. My children and I had the pleasure of attending a conference where you sang this lovely piece—what a blessing. May the Lord bless your efforts greatly. And may the Lord continue to bless the Notgrass parents. They obeyed their great God and Savior—and now they are reaping the rewards.

My Mother Dear
Words and music by John Notgrass

There is a special woman in my life. She
helps me be the man that I should be.
And even if the Lord brings me a wife,
this woman will still mean a lot to me.

Chorus
Her faith has helped me to believe.
Her vision has helped me to see.
Her comfort has helped overcome my fear.
Her kindness points me to the right.
Her service is a shining light.
A woman to be praised—my mother dear.
The training that I need she does
provide by gently teaching me to
seek the truth
By setting an example so that I
remember my Creator in my youth.

Bridge
Her works will praise her in the gate.
As for me, I won’t hesitate.
My deepest thoughts can’t be expressed,
but I rise up and call her blessed,
And thank her from the bottom of
my heart.

Available on the CD titled “My Father’s God” (www.notgrass.com)