Today's conversation is one I've been looking forward to having... a conversation about profound loss, tangible hope, and the ministry of presence in the darkest moments.

My guest is Ashley Opliger, author of Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven and founder of Bridget's Cradles, a ministry that has now placed over 30,000 cradles in 1,600 hospitals across all 50 states.

Ashley's story is marked by deep loss, but what struck me most in our conversation wasn't just what she's walked through, but how she's chosen to steward her story. She's not interested in being defined by her trials, but by how God has used them for His glory and for the good of others. We talk about the loneliness of pregnancy and infant loss, why the ministry of presence matters more than perfect words, and how to avoid the dreaded "at least" statements that so often hurt rather than help. Ashley shares about the sacred work of sitting in grief without rushing to fix it, and how she's had to wrestle with letting God's character (not her circumstances) shape her view of who He is.

This conversation is for anyone who has experienced pregnancy or infant loss, anyone who loves someone walking through that grief, or anyone who needs to hear that it's okay to bring all the hard, honest emotions to God, even the ugly ones.

Takeaways

• Ashley Opliger's journey is marked by profound loss and grief.
• Her book 'Cradled in Hope' offers guidance for grieving mothers.
• Community support is crucial for those experiencing grief.
• Grief can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• It's important to be honest with God about feelings of doubt and anger.
• The ministry of presence is vital in supporting grieving families.
• Avoid using 'at least' statements when comforting someone in grief.
• Listening and offering scripture can be more helpful than trying to fix the situation.
• Suffering is a part of the Christian journey and can lead to growth.
• Hope in heaven provides comfort amidst the pain of loss.

Chapters

00:00 | Journey Through Grief and Loss

09:15 | Cradled in Hope: The Book's Purpose

15:04 | Bridget's Cradles: A Ministry Born from Loss

21:07 | Supporting Grieving Families: Practical Guidance

27:17 | Wrestling with God: Finding Hope in Suffering

30:57 | Anchoring in Faith Amidst Trials

31:45 | Understanding Suffering and God's Sovereignty

33:06 | Bringing Honest Emotions to God

35:22 | Finding Hope in Grief

37:37 | Navigating Unhelpful Comments in Grief

42:44 | The Ministry of Bridget's Cradles

44:25 | Designing a Perfect Beautiful Day

Ashley's Website: https://ashleyopliger.com/
Ashley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger
Bridget's Cradles Website: https://bridgetscradles.com/
Cradled In Hope Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cradledinhope/
Cradled In Hope Book: https://www.amazon.com/Cradled-Hope-Heaven-Miscarriage-Stillbirth/dp/0764244345?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Cradled In Hope Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cradled-in-hope-podcast-for-grieving-moms-biblical/id1572324745