338: When Jesus is Holding Your Baby (with Ashley Opliger)

In this tender episode, Laura welcomes Ashley to share the story of her daughter, Bridget, who was stillborn at 24 weeks after a complicated pregnancy.  Ashley speaks candidly about the trauma of delivering a baby who never cried, the sacred hours they were able to hold her, and the heartbreak of leaving the hospital without her. She also addresses the unexpected layers of grief that follow pregnancy loss—returning to an empty nursery, physical reminders like milk coming in, and the deep struggle with self-blame, offering reassurance that these painful realities are both common and valid. Out of that sorrow, Ashley describes how surrendering her pain to Jesus transformed her faith and eventually led to the ministry of Bridget’s Cradles and her book, Cradled in Hope. The conversation explores biblical lament, holding both joy and grief at the same time, resting in God’s sovereignty, and finding healing through Christ-centered support. With honesty and hope, Ashley reminds listeners that grieving with hope means trusting in eternity while allowing Jesus to walk closely with us in the present pain. Ashley Opliger is the USA Today bestselling author of Cradled in Hope and the founder and executive director of Bridget’s Cradles, a national nonprofit providing hope and healing to more than 30,000 bereaved families each year in over 1,600 hospitals across all 50 states. She hosts the award-winning Cradled in Hope podcast and is a sought-after speaker and writer. Ashley also leads in-person and online support groups and organizes Wave of Light, an annual remembrance event held on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. She lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband and two sons.  (Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)  Links Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Ashley at AshleyOpliger.com and BridgetsCradles.com. Send email to laura@gpshope with Bridget in the subject line for book drawing The Bible’s Grieving Parents paperback and Companion Journal are now available; order now on Amazon or directly from GPS Hope. Click here to support the podcast, keep it ad-free, and get exclusive content. Click here to receive a Weekly Word of Hope from Laura. Birthdays: We lovingly remember and celebrate the lives of: Miesha Grimes was born on March 1 and is forever 24, Patrick Palazzo was born on March 2 and is forever 24. Aaron Wright was born on March 3 and is forever 32. Courtney Harris was born on March 4 and is forever 34. Jonathan Van Verdegem was born on March 6 and is forever 19. Visit gpshope.org/birthdays to submit your child’s name and date so we can honor them, too. The special song written for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here. Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE! www.gpshope.org To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at [email protected]. Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose. It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.