Cradled in Hope | Podcast for Grieving Moms | Biblical Hope for Miscarriage, Stillbirth, & Infant Loss

63 | Held in His Presence: Healing Rest for the Grieving Heart | Becky Thompson

In this profoundly powerful episode, Ashley welcomes national bestselling author and Midnight Mom Devotional founder Becky Thompson back to the podcast to talk about her newest book, Healing Rest. Together, they share an unforgettable conversation about rest for the weary, peace for the anxious, and the healing presence of Jesus for grieving hearts.What begins as an interview soon becomes a Spirit-led encounter with God’s tender presence. Becky invites listeners into the “closet” of vulnerability and surrender—the safe place where we meet Jesus, fall apart in His arms, and find the rest our souls are desperately craving. Through stories, Scripture, prayer, and Holy Spirit-led moments of pause, this episode offers more than just words—it offers sacred space to be held by the One who knows your pain and never leaves your side.Whether you are overwhelmed by grief, carrying the weight of trauma, or longing for peace in the midst of chaos, this episode is a gentle invitation to experience healing rest in the arms of Jesus.In this episode, we discussed:Becky's inspiration for writing Healing Rest and how it builds upon her previous book PeaceWhy grief reveals the world isn’t safe—and how we can still rest in the safety of Jesus’ presenceThe “closet moment”: where we break down, cry, surrender, and are tenderly met by the ComforterThe difference between pushing through and truly surrendering what we carryWhat it means to be safely held, even in a broken worldA Spirit-led, guided invitation to closet time with Jesus—including a real-time prayer experiencePractical steps for slowing down, calming a dysregulated nervous system, and finding rest for your body, mind, and soulThe importance of reading God’s Word as a place to encounter His presence, not just gain knowledgeHealing from trauma and grief by asking Jesus where He was in your storyThe eternal perspective: what it means to be held by the same arms that cradle your baby in HeavenThis is not just an episode to listen to—it’s one to experience. A holy moment to sit still, breathe deep, and let Jesus meet you right where you are. If your heart is heavy, come and find rest. If your soul is weary, let Him hold you. You are safely held. You are deeply loved. And you are cradled in hope.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/episode63]• 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 ★ Support this podcast ★

16 | Cradled in Hope Book Club | Parting Words | Ashley Opliger

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.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/bookclub16]• 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 ★ Support this podcast ★

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

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 JesusA powerful visual using a skein of yarn to represent how brief our time on earth is compared to eternityScriptural truths about the Resurrection, glorified bodies, and our Heavenly citizenshipThe comfort of knowing her daughter Bridget is already part of her eternal familyReflections on her own mortality and how the sudden loss of her dad deepened her desire to live with intentionThe difference between the Rapture and Second Coming, and why Ashley believes Jesus could return in our lifetimeHow Christians are called to “keep their lamps burning” and shine the light of Jesus as they waitA fresh perspective on the story of Lazarus and how it mirrors our hope in Jesus’ Resurrection powerThe 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 ★ Support this podcast ★

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 cemeteryWhy 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 goodA reflection on 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 and how we’re called to comfort others with the same comfort we’ve received from GodWhy moms don’t need to strive to honor their babies—their value is inherent, and they are already honored in HeavenThe distinction between serving God from love and gratitude vs. striving to earn worth or validationHow Bridget’s Cradles is not just a grief project but a ministry rooted in obedience and the Great CommissionEncouragement that everyone’s calling will look different—and why obedience in small acts is where impact beginsHow her ministry started with a single cradle in Bridget’s nursery, and grew through thousands of small, unseen yesesAn 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 ChristA reminder that we may never see the fruit of our obedience here on earth—but God sees every seed plantedAn 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 ★ Support this podcast ★

13 | Cradled in Hope Book Club | Ch 12 | Ashley Opliger

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 trialsThe biblical meaning behind the title “More Than Gold” from 1 Peter 1:6–7Her 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 deathA 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 trialHow 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 JesusScriptural promises that link suffering with future glory and purposeThe urgency to live for eternity, invest in Heavenly treasure, and serve God out of gratitude—not obligationAshley 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 ★ Support this podcast ★