Shenelle Ball-Green, Host It’s Been A Journey Podcast
What if the love you left behind was never lost—just waiting for God’s timing?
In this moving episode of It’s Been a Journey, I sit down with First Lady Valerie Locust of Greater Destiny Ministries, and y’all, this conversation is one for the books. Valerie—author, actress, podcast host of My Tea for the Week, and visionary behind the Prayer on the Go Facebook prayer group—shares the incredible testimony of how she reunited with her high school sweetheart, now husband, Bishop Jonathan Locust.
You could feel the presence of purpose and divine timing as Valerie walked us through the years of separation, personal growth, and restoration. This wasn’t just a romantic reunion—it was the unfolding of a love story wrapped in healing, faith, and spiritual alignment.
From Teenage Love to Ministry Partners
Valerie didn’t sugarcoat the process. There were moments of heartbreak. Seasons of silence. Times where it seemed the love they once had was buried in the past. But as she shared, “God doesn’t forget what He plants in our hearts. He just waters it when the time is right.”
They weren’t the same teenagers who once fell in love in high school. Life had taught them lessons, matured their hearts, and drawn them both closer to God. When they reconnected, it wasn’t out of nostalgia—it was purpose.
Faith in the Wait
This episode dives deep into the spiritual and emotional complexities of second chances. Valerie opened up about what it meant to trust God’s timing, to heal before reconnecting, and to allow love to come back in a way that was healthy, holy, and heaven-sent.
We asked her some real, reflective questions like:
- “How did you reconcile the pain of past heartbreak with the hope of a new beginning?”
- “What does love look like to you now, compared to when you were younger?”
- “Did you ever doubt if this was truly God’s will for your life?”
Her answers were raw, wise, and filled with grace.
A Story That Gives Hope
Valerie’s journey is a beacon for anyone who’s ever wondered, “Can I have a second chance at love?” The answer is yes—but it starts with healing, trusting God, and becoming whole on your own first.
She and Bishop Locust now serve as powerful ministry partners, walking in unity, prayer, and purpose. And it all started with a high school crush that God refused to let die.
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a similar love story? Or maybe you’re in a season of waiting, wondering if love will ever circle back. Let Valerie’s story remind you: If it’s part of God’s plan, it will find you.
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📺 Watch the full interview here: YouTude
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