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In this final episode of the Cradled in Hope Book Club, Ashley reflects on the sacred journey of walking chapter by chapter through grief and healing alongside grieving moms from across the country. She offers heartfelt thanks to every listener who showed up, shared their tears, and let Jesus meet them in the midst of sorrow.

Reading a section from the final pages of the book, Ashley compares this closing moment to a “Midwest goodbye”—the kind where no one really wants to leave. With tenderness, she reminds grieving moms that this is not goodbye, but see you later. The journey doesn’t end here, and Jesus has more to show you.

Ashley shares how you can continue your healing:

• Cradled in Hope Guided Journal – Available on Amazon or as a free download, the journal provides guided prompts, Scripture reflections, and sacred space to continue processing your grief with Jesus.
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional – A short and powerful series drawn from the book to help you stay grounded in God’s Word when you need a quick dose of truth.
• Support Groups – Both in-person (Kansas) and virtual (Hope Online), Bridget’s Cradles offers Christ-centered community for grieving moms.
• Free eBooks – Practical and compassionate resources for every stage of the grief journey, from preparing to meet your baby to navigating holidays and anniversaries.
• Re-read the Book + Journal Together – With time, new truths will stand out. Healing is not linear, and God reveals new layers as we walk with Him.
• Share Hope – Gift a copy of the book to a grieving friend, hospital, or church to help others find comfort and hope in their darkest days.
• Keep Listening to the Podcast – With over 60 episodes and more coming in 2026 (including a powerful message from Becky Thompson on January 1), the Cradled in Hope podcast will continue walking with you in your journey.

Ashley also reads several moving Amazon reviews from readers, expressing deep gratitude for how God has used the book to speak healing into broken hearts. She encourages listeners to leave a review as a way of helping more grieving moms discover this hope-filled resource.

As the episode closes, Ashley reminds every mom:

• Your baby’s life has eternal value.
• Your grief is sacred to God.
• The hope of Heaven is sure.

Jesus is holding you and your baby close. Until we are reunited, He is faithful to carry you every step of the way.

Journaling Prompt
What has God revealed to you through this book club? Write a prayer of thanks or reflection on how your grief journey has shifted since beginning this book.

Healing Step
Take one intentional step forward in your healing journey today—whether it’s joining a support group, starting the journal, gifting the book to a friend, or writing your story as a review to encourage another grieving mom.

Full transcript below.

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EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Ashley Opliger: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Cradled in Hope Podcast Book Club.

I’m your host, Ashley Opliger—grieving mom, author of Cradled in Hope, and founder of Bridget’s Cradles. I’m so honored to walk with you through my book, one chapter at a time, as we navigate the heartbreak of losing a baby together.

After my daughter Bridget went to Heaven at 24 weeks, I wrestled with deep sadness and complex questions about God’s goodness. But through that grief, Jesus showed me that He not only cradles our babies in Heaven, He also holds our broken hearts here on earth.

Whether you’re reading along or simply listening in, this is a safe space for your sorrow—a place where your tears, questions, and raw emotions are welcome. Each episode, we’ll reflect on a chapter of Cradled in Hope and gently walk together from heartbreak to healing, and from pain to purpose.

My prayer is that this podcast will remind you that you are not alone in your grief and, most importantly, that it will point you to Jesus, the only One who can truly heal your heart. Through faith in Him, there is hope to see your baby again, and He will be with you every step from here to Heaven.

So wherever you are in your journey, I invite you to join me—and together, we will grieve with hope.

Let’s begin.

Ashley Opliger: [00:01:27] Welcome back, sweet friends, to this final episode of the Cradled in Hope Book Club. What a journey this has been, walking chapter by chapter through the pages of this book and through the stories and Scriptures that have carried us closer to Jesus.

[00:01:36] When I think about all the moms who’ve joined in from around the country, reading, journaling, listening, crying, and praying together, I just want to say thank you. You have honored your babies in Heaven by showing up for this healing work. You’ve let Jesus meet you in your grief, and that is such a beautiful act of faith.

[00:01:54] Maybe you joined this book club right after your loss, or maybe years later, when the grief continued to resurface. However you found Cradled in Hope. I want you to know your story matters, your baby matters, and the healing God is doing in you will continue. This isn’t ‘Goodbye.’ It’s more like, ‘See you later,’ because I truly believe God has more to show you.

[00:02:17] And so if you have finished reading my book, you know at the very end there is a section called Parting Words, and I’m going to read a small section of that part. I said:

I’ll be honest: I don’t like goodbyes. I’ve never been good at them. If you live in the Midwest, like I do in Kansas, you’re probably familiar with what we call a “long goodbye.” It usually goes something like this: After spending hours chatting with a friend while sitting on their couch, you finally get up to leave. 

The two of you stand by the front door, chatting for another 15 minutes and hugging goodbye several times, yet you keep finding just one more topic to discuss. Eventually, someone reaches for the door, but the conversation doesn’t end there. Your friend walks you to your car and you continue talking in the driveway for another 30 minutes, before finally saying goodbye.

I’ve had many of these long goodbyes standing outside the Little Blue Barn in Kechi, hugging grieving mommas and sharing as many comforting words as I can before it gets too late, and they need to head home. In a way, the end of this book feels like that–like you and I are standing out by your car and I don’t want our conversation to end. 

However, I’ve run out of word count, and I must give you one final hug and send you on your way. But this is not goodbye! It’s a, “See you later,” and “I hope our paths will cross at some point” (perhaps in our Cradled in Hope Facebook group or online support group, Hope Online). 

Your healing journey doesn’t end here, but I hope my words have pointed you in the right direction–toward Jesus in the hope of Heaven. 

[00:03:52] And so friends, that is the same sentiment that I want to finish the Cradled in Hope Book Club.

I want you to know that this is not goodbye. This is not the end. Jesus has so much more to show you. He has more comfort, more peace, more purpose, and more healing, and this is just the beginning of your healing journey with Him. 

And so one of the ways that you can continue this journey is through the Cradled in Hope Guided Journal, which is now available on Amazon. I created this journal as a companion to the book. It’s the same heart, same Scripture-centered encouragement, but it includes space for you to write, reflect, and pray through your own story. 

Inside you’ll find guided prompts that help you process your grief, and remember your baby, space to write prayers and letters, Scripture reflections and encouragement for the hard days, and pages to help you reflect on your grief and your healing. 

[00:04:49] It’s really meant to be a sacred space where you can meet Jesus in your sorrow and begin to see how He’s still writing beauty from ashes. If you’ve already read the book but haven’t yet started the journal, this is the perfect next step. You can find it on Amazon by searching Cradled in Hope Guided Journal. Or you can download a free digital version from my website, AshleyOpliger.com/Journal. 

[00:05:02] I also want to tell you about another way to stay connected, the Cradled in Hope 7-Day Devotional on the YouVersion Bible app. You can find it by searching Cradled in Hope in the app or on bible.com. It’s a short daily devotional series that takes key truths from the book and pairs them with Scripture and reflection questions.

[00:05:28] This is such a beautiful way to re-center your heart in God’s Word, especially on days when opening the full book feels too heavy or you just need a quick reminder of truth. You can even start it with a friend, your spouse, or another mom who has experienced loss. I pray it will be a little light in your day, one that reminds you that you are not alone and that there is hope, even in the suffering. 

[00:05:51] Before we close, I’d love to share a few reviews from readers who have walked through this journey with us. I would love to thank Jennifer Sakata for writing a review on Amazon for Cradled in Hope. She wrote:

Compassionate, as well as practical, this book is a sacred companion for those living with the grief of having to say goodbye too soon. It’s where surrender meets safety and where it’s okay to not be okay. Ashley is that friend who is skilled at sitting in other people‘s sadness. Both because she’s been there and because she lives rooted in hope.

Biblically grounded, each chapter includes prayers to Heaven, truth to cling to, reflection questions and healing steps. This book will broaden your understanding and experience of grief after the loss of a child through miscarriage, still birth, and all types of baby loss. I highly recommend this book, for moms and dads, extended family members, counselors, pastors, teachers, and anyone who comes alongside grieving families.

Thank you so much, Jennifer, for your kind and encouraging words. 

[00:06:59] I also want to thank Bekah for sharing this review:

This book offers true hope for the hurting hearts of grieving parents. There’s a lot of material out there that offers hope of learning how to cope with grief and co-exist with trauma and grief. What the author does with this book can only be done by pointing the reader to the true hope and healing we have in Christ. Healing will never mean forgetting, but she gently guides the reader through Scripture that teaches how to allow God to turn our pain from purpose and how to let Him restore joy, even in the midst of heartache. A must read for mothers and fathers grieving the loss of a baby. Rich in theology but not too difficult for the reader who may be new to faith.

Thank you so much, Bekah. 

[00:07:41] I also would love to share Twyla, who wrote:

From the very first pages of this book, Ashley’s genuineness, empathy, own weighty grief, and groundedness in God’s Word captivated me. I cannot recommend this more highly for every dear woman saying goodbye to a baby she’s carried—whether for days, weeks, months, or to term.

P.S. I gifted this book and the recipient shared this: “Love Ashley’s clarity in God’s truth. I don’t think I would have realized the multifaceted nature of this grief and the places where I needed to bathe in God’s truth.

[00:08:08] Twyla, thank you so much for writing a review and also for gifting this book to a grieving mom. 

[00:08:20] And finally, I’m going to read one from Alisha. Alisha wrote:

Wow! It’s so obvious from page one how much heart, time, and energy was put into this book, it’s so well written. Cradled in Hope made me feel like I’m not alone in my pregnancy loss experience and grief by hearing someone else’s story so similar to what I went through emotionally and physically, during and after my loss. I felt so seen and understood when reading about Ashley’s personal story, like she was saying “Come along with me, I’ve been there too and we can work through the heartbreak together. God’s got you! Just stick with Him!” I wasn’t expecting so much theology, but I really enjoyed it being that way! Even though I go to church every Sunday, I’m not one that has spent much time reading the Bible outside of church, so for Ashley to bring in so many Bible verses and Bible stories, it felt like she had pulled out all the parts of the Bible just for me that would pertain to my situation of pregnancy loss and grieving my daughter. Being able to hear so much of God’s word speaking to me was really comforting and informative. Highly recommend for anyone who is trying to not lose their faith after a devastating loss, and even for those whose faith is strong! I think it can help your faith grow even more digging into biblical truths through this book!

Thank you so much, Alisha. 

[00:09:36] There are so many more that I could read, and I want you to know that I do personally read every single review. Healing stories like that means so much to me, not because of the book itself, but because it shows that God is using it to bring comfort and healing in ways that only He can.

[00:09:48] So if Cradled in Hope has ministered to you, I would be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave your own review on Amazon, or Goodreads, or both, if you have both, because your words will truly help other grieving moms find this book when they’re searching for hope in their darkest season. You never know whose life your story and review might touch.

[00:10:11] So as we close this Book Club, you might be wondering, “What’s next? Where do I go from here?” Here are a few ways to keep walking this journey of healing and hope. 

[00:10:26] Number one, join a Bridget’s Cradles support group, if you haven’t already. We have Christ-centered support groups that meet both in person and online. You can find details and sign up information at bridgetscradles.com/support groups. These groups are a safe space to share your story, find community, and grow closer to Jesus alongside other moms who truly understand. 

[00:10:48] Number two, explore our free e-Books. We’ve created several short, practical eBooks to help you through specific parts of your grief journey. From preparing to meet your baby, to planning their funeral, to honoring their memory, to navigating your grief and healing journey with Jesus, each one is free to download bridgetscradles.com/e-Books, and e-Books is with an e dash books. And they are designed to meet you right where you are. 

[00:11:17] Number three, revisit the book and journal together. I believe that if you read Cradled in Hope a second time while writing in the journal, new truths will stand out. Healing isn’t linear, and often Jesus will reveal new layers of healing as time goes on. I pray that the Guided Journal will be a wonderful resource to you as a companion guide to the book.

[00:11:35] Number four, share hope. You can gift a copy of Cradled in Hope to your hospital, church library, a public library, or to a friend walking through loss. By giving a copy to a grieving mom, you are sharing hope and healing with her heart, and I would be so honored for you to continue this journey by blessing another grieving mom with the book.

[00:11:59] Number five, continue listening to the Cradled in Hope Podcast. We have over 60 episodes that we have released since starting the podcast in 2021, and we are going to continue to release episodes every month in 2026, starting with a very powerful message from author Becky Thompson on January 1st. And so we pray that you will continue listening to this podcast, that you would hit subscribe so that you do not miss a single episode that comes out.

[00:12:30] We’ll continue sending you emails so you know when they release, but my prayer is that the Cradled in Hope Podcast would continue to be a source of comfort and healing for you in your journey.

Ashley Opliger: [00:12:46]  We hope you’re finding encouragement in this episode so far. We want to take a moment to share some resources our ministry offers to support grieving moms like you.

On our website, bridgetscradles.com, you’ll learn more about our nonprofit and find many hope-filled resources, including free e-books to help you plan a memorial or funeral service for your baby, meaningful ways to honor your baby in your heart and home, and gentle guidance for navigating difficult days like due dates, Heaven Days, and holidays.

We invite you to join our community of grieving moms through our Christ-centered support groups, offered both in-person at our headquarters near Wichita, Kansas, and virtually through Hope Online. These gatherings provide a place to find comfort, connection, and biblical hope alongside other moms who understand your pain.

You can view upcoming dates and sign up on our website. While you’re there, we’d also be honored for you to share your baby’s story with us.

For ongoing support, we welcome you to join our private Cradled in Hope Facebook group—a safe space for grieving moms to find friendship and walk their healing journey together.

To stay connected with us and receive faith-filled encouragement, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @bridgetscradles, @cradledinhope, and my personal page @ashleyopliger. 

Now, let’s get back to the episode.

Ashley Opliger: [00:14:07] Friends, as we finish this final episode, I just want to remind you of this…Your baby’s life has eternal value. Your grief is sacred to God. The hope of Heaven is real, and sure. Jesus promises that He is making all things new, and one day. every tear will be wiped away. 

Until that day comes, may you keep walking in faith, trusting that He is holding both you and your baby close. Thank you for walking through this book with me. Thank you for letting me share my heart and Bridget’s story with you. It has been an honor to walk beside you in your sorrow and in your healing.

[00:14:38] Let’s pray. 

Thank You so much, Lord, for every grieving mom who has been on this journey with us through Cradled in Hope, the book, and through this Podcast Book Club. I am so grateful that we have had time carved out to focus on our healing journey with You. I thank You that You knit our babies together in our wombs, and that You have given us the high and precious honor of being their moms.

[00:15:01] Jesus, I pray that as we have walked through this journey with You and we have reflected on Your truth that You would instill Your Word in our hearts and our minds, that You would not let this journey end here, that there would be more healing and more comfort and peace from You that we would receive in the days, weeks, and months to come.

[00:15:23] Lord, this is going to be a lifelong journey of many, many years of grieving our babies. But my prayer is that every mom listening would look to You for her comfort, that she would see an eternal perspective of her suffering, that she would know that You are doing a work in her and through her in the midst of her sadness and pain, and that You’re going to use all of it for her good and for Your glory.

[00:15:48] Jesus, I thank You so much that even in the midst of losing a baby, that we can find You trustworthy and good; help every grieving mom believe and know that to be true. We thank You for everything You’ve done for us. We thank You for the work You’re doing and will continue to do as we close out this Book Club.

[00:16:12] Jesus, I pray that the book was only a reflection of who You are and of the truths that You put in my heart and my testimony, and that they would go out and bring fruit into so many grieving moms’ lives, and that these women who are listening today would become transformed women who would then comfort others through their faith and their trust in You.

[00:16:35] Jesus, I pray that this would become a movement of mothers across our country, and even across the earth, that You would bring hope and healing to those who are hurting in Your Name. We love You. We thank You. We trust You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. 

Ashley Opliger: [00:17:00] Until next time, know that you are not alone. You are seen, loved, and cradled in hope. 

Ashley Opliger: [00:17:07] Thank you for joining me for today’s episode of the Cradled in Hope Podcast Book Club.

If you don’t have your copy of Cradled in Hope, you can find it wherever books are sold. It’s a biblical guide for grieving moms after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss—filled with vulnerable emotion, biblical wisdom, practical guidance, and hope-filled encouragement.

To accompany the book, I’ve also created the Cradled in Hope Guided Journal—a beautiful companion that includes space to write your responses to the discussion questions, full Scripture passages from each chapter, and additional reflection pages and guided charts to help you process your grief and draw you closer to Jesus. You can download the free digital version on my author website at AshleyOpliger.com/Journal, or order the printed version on Amazon if you prefer to write by hand.

Until next time, know that you are not alone. You are seen, loved, and Cradled in Hope.