8 | Cradled in Hope Book Club | Ch 7 | Ashley Opliger

In this episode, Ashley walks alongside grieving moms who are struggling with guilt, shame, or regret after the loss of their baby. Centered on Chapter 7 of Cradled in Hope, “Grace Upon Grace: When You Can’t Forgive Yourself,” she offers compassionate truth for the mom who wonders if she could have or should have done something differently. With tender honesty and biblical reassurance, Ashley shares how grace—not guilt—is the way forward.

Ashley shares her personal struggle with shame and how she once believed her body had failed her daughter. With real-life stories, scriptural encouragement, and an invitation to rest in the finished work of the cross, this episode helps grieving moms understand that self-forgiveness is possible through Christ—and that His mercy is more than enough.

In this episode, Ashley shared:

• Why grieving moms often struggle with shame and regret after loss

• Her personal battle with body resentment after Bridget’s stillbirth

• The impact of living in broken bodies in a broken world—and how that shapes our perspective

• The difference between hindsight and control, and how we can’t hold ourselves accountable for things we didn’t know

• Why we need to extend the same compassion to ourselves that we would give to a friend

• What it means to forgive our bodies, our decisions, and our broken expectations through the lens of grace

• A biblical understanding of how our babies were knit together body, soul, and spirit

• The eternal hope we have because our babies are alive in Heaven

Ashley reminds us that our bodies were never meant to carry the blame. They were created by God, designed to be temples for His Spirit—and through Christ, we are forgiven and free. Our babies were miraculously knit together, and even if their lives were brief on earth, they are eternal in Heaven. There is no condemnation in Christ—only grace upon grace.

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/bookclub8]

• 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 ★