In this episode, Ashley walks through Chapter 14 of Cradled in Hope, “Our Future Forever: When You Long for Your Heavenly Home.” She invites grieving moms to set their eyes on eternity and live with urgency, hope, and peace in the promise that Jesus is coming back—and that we will be reunited with our babies in Heaven.

Ashley shares vivid memories of the day Bridget was born and went to Heaven, and how the fleeting nature of time shaped her longing for eternity. Through Scripture and personal reflections, she explains the biblical truth of the Resurrection, why she believes it is coming soon, and how we are called to live as we wait for Jesus’ return.

In this episode, Ashley shared:

• Why she ended the book by focusing on eternity and the return of Jesus

• A powerful visual using a skein of yarn to represent how brief our time on earth is compared to eternity

• Scriptural truths about the Resurrection, glorified bodies, and our Heavenly citizenship

• The comfort of knowing her daughter Bridget is already part of her eternal family

• Reflections on her own mortality and how the sudden loss of her dad deepened her desire to live with intention

• The difference between the Rapture and Second Coming, and why Ashley believes Jesus could return in our lifetime

• How Christians are called to “keep their lamps burning” and shine the light of Jesus as they wait

• A fresh perspective on the story of Lazarus and how it mirrors our hope in Jesus’ Resurrection power

• The word “Maranatha” and how it shaped the closing of this chapter and the entire book—He is coming soon!

Ashley encourages listeners to live every day with the mindset of “one day closer,” believing that suffering has an expiration date and that joy is coming forever. No matter how heavy the grief, there is a future full of glory and reunion ahead.

GET THE BOOK! Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse.
[www.bridgetscradles.com/book]

EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/bookclub15]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

In this episode, Ashley walks through Chapter 13 of Cradled in Hope, “With the Same Comfort: When You Want to Use Your Grief for Good.” She reflects on how God can use our heartbreak to minister to others and reminds grieving moms that purpose flows from a transformed heart—not from striving or pressure to “make meaning” out of tragedy.

Ashley shares a powerful story about the day of Bridget’s funeral and how their procession unknowingly passed by the future headquarters of Bridget’s Cradles—a building not yet built, but already known to God. This moment, years later, became a testimony to His faithfulness and sovereign plan.

In this episode, Ashley shared:

• The story of Bridget’s funeral day and the moment sunbeams broke through the clouds over the cemetery

• Why grief feels unbearable at first and how Ashley once told God, “Nothing good will ever come from this”

• How years of walking through loss, including her dad’s death, revealed that God could redeem her pain for good

• A reflection on 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 and how we’re called to comfort others with the same comfort we’ve received from God

• Why moms don’t need to strive to honor their babies—their value is inherent, and they are already honored in Heaven

• The distinction between serving God from love and gratitude vs. striving to earn worth or validation

• How Bridget’s Cradles is not just a grief project but a ministry rooted in obedience and the Great Commission

• Encouragement that everyone’s calling will look different—and why obedience in small acts is where impact begins

• How her ministry started with a single cradle in Bridget’s nursery, and grew through thousands of small, unseen yeses

• An explanation of the difference between purpose (which is always to serve Jesus) and calling (which is specific to each woman)

• Testimonies of grieving moms who’ve found unique ways to serve others and share the hope of Christ

• A reminder that we may never see the fruit of our obedience here on earth—but God sees every seed planted

• An encouragement to keep serving, keep shining, and keep running your race until the day you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Ashley reminds us that we are called to serve the one who sees us—Jesus—and to love the one in front of us, even in small ways. We don’t have to do something grand. We just have to begin.

GET THE BOOK! Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse.
[www.bridgetscradles.com/book]

EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/bookclub14]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles

In this episode, Ashley walks through Chapter 12 of Cradled in Hope, “More Than Gold: When You Allow God to Transform You,” and reflects on how her faith has been shaped through trials—even before losing Bridget. She shares how past hardships prepared her to walk through grief with Jesus and how those earlier seasons of suffering laid a foundation of trust in God's goodness.

Ashley explains that transformation doesn’t mean moving on from grief—it’s about sanctification: becoming more like Christ through the pain. Rooted in 1 Peter 1:6–7, she talks about how God can use the fire of loss to refine our faith. With honesty and hope, she encourages grieving moms to surrender their broken hearts to Jesus and to consider how He might be working in them—even in the midst of deep sorrow.

In this episode, Ashley shared:

• How suffering is often the way Jesus molds and refines us through trials

• The biblical meaning behind the title “More Than Gold” from 1 Peter 1:6–7

• Her personal story of walking through many painful trials—including a divorce due to adultery, Bridget’s death, her son Brenner’s medical crisis, and her father’s tragic death

• A chart she includes in the book illustrating that in life, we are always either about to enter, in the middle of, or coming out of a trial

• How her questions to God have shifted over time—from “Why me?” to “What do You want to teach me through this?”

• Why pruning is part of the process of bearing more fruit for God’s Kingdom (John 15)

• How our desperation in grief leads us into deeper dependence on Jesus

• Scriptural promises that link suffering with future glory and purpose

• The urgency to live for eternity, invest in Heavenly treasure, and serve God out of gratitude—not obligation

Ashley gently reminds moms that God never wastes our pain. If we allow Him, He will take the ashes of grief and turn them into something more beautiful and eternal than we could ever imagine—faith that is more precious than gold.

GET THE BOOK! Cradled in Hope is sold on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook, and Baker Bookhouse.
[www.bridgetscradles.com/book]

EPISODE SHOW NOTES & FULL TRANSCRIPT:
[www.bridgetscradles.com/post/bookclub13]

• CRADLED IN HOPE PODCAST WEBSITE:
Sign up here to receive email updates and hope-filled resources
[www.bridgetscradles.com/podcast]

• CRADLED IN HOPE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR GRIEVING MOMS:
[www.facebook.com/groups/cradledinhope]

• FOLLOW BRIDGET'S CRADLES
[www.facebook.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.instagram.com/bridgetscradles]
[www.pinterest.com/bridgetscradles]

• CONNECT WITH THE HOST | ASHLEY OPLIGER
[www.ashleyopliger.com]
[www.facebook.com/ashleyopliger]
[www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger]

#cradledinhope #cradledinhopepodcast #bridgetscradles