14 | Cradled in Hope Book Club | Ch 13 | Ashley Opliger

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.

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

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