Cradled in Hope - by Ashley Opliger (Paperback)

About the Book

Knowing well the overwhelming pain and hopelessness after losing a child, the founder of Bridget's Cradles gently guides grieving moms to cry, ask why, and bring their sadness, anger, bitterness, loneliness, and shame to One who can hold it all--Jesus--and to trust Him to heal their hearts, restore their joy, and ultimately use their grief for good.

Book Synopsis

A USA Today bestseller!

Real Hope for Your Broken Heart

o A safe space to grieve your baby--where tears, questions, and raw emotions are welcome
o Honest encouragement and biblical wisdom from a mom who lost her baby and found healing in Jesus
o Gentle guidance through sorrow--from heartbreak to healing, and pain to purpose
o Gospel-centered hope for grieving moms after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss

A mother's heart is shattered and forever changed when she loses a precious baby. The sorrow runs deep, the questions feel unanswerable, and the emptiness is overwhelming. Cradled in Hope is a Christ-centered book for grieving moms that offers real comfort, biblical truth, and compassionate guidance through the heartbreak of pregnancy and infant loss.

Ashley Opliger, host of the Cradled in Hope podcast, understands this pain intimately. When her daughter, Bridget, was born into Heaven at 24 weeks, Ashley wrestled with sadness, anger, and profound questions about God's goodness. But in the midst of her grief, she uncovered a tender truth: Jesus not only cradles our babies in Heaven--He also holds and heals our broken hearts here on earth. Ashley then founded Bridget's Cradles in her daughter's memory, a national nonprofit that donates knit and crocheted cradles to hospitals in all 50 states to lovingly hold stillborn babies. The ministry now comforts thousands of grieving families through these cradles, support groups, remembrance events, and online hope-filled resources. Through this calling, Ashley has witnessed firsthand how God brings beauty from brokenness and purpose from even the deepest pain.

With grace and vulnerability, Ashley guides heartbroken moms on a journey to trust Him to heal their hearts, restore their joy, and use their grief for good. Through raw honesty, heartfelt prayers, and Scripture-based encouragement, Cradled in Hope creates a sacred space for grieving moms to cry, ask why, feel the weight of their sadness, and begin to heal--not alone, but alongside Ashley, the Bridget's Cradles community, and the comforting presence of Jesus. If your arms feel painfully empty, Cradled in Hope will draw you to the embrace of Jesus--and remind you that through faith in Him, you'll spend eternity with your baby in Heaven.

As you read this book and walk your healing journey, the Cradled in Hope Guided Journal--a beautiful companion guide also available on Amazon--offers space to write your reflections, process your grief, study Scripture, and draw closer to Jesus.

From the Back Cover

Real hope for your broken heart

When you lose your precious baby, your heart is shattered, and your life is forever changed. Overwhelmed with grief, you may feel abandoned by God, question His goodness, and wonder how you can possibly move forward.

Ashley Opliger has been right where you are. She wrestled with the same anguished thoughts and deep pain when her daughter, Bridget, was born into Heaven at twenty-four weeks into her first pregnancy. Amid her sorrow, she leaned on her faith in God to not only heal her heart, but to change her life--and the lives of others.

On the pages of this compassionate book, Ashley creates a safe place for you to cry, to ask why, and to bring your sadness, anger, shame, and hopelessness to the One who can hold it all--Jesus. She gently guides you on a journey to trust Him to heal your heart, restore your joy, and use your grief for good.

Ashley, like a good friend, shares practical wisdom no matter where you are in your grief--whether it's been days, months, or even years since you lost your baby. She will hold your hand and point you to the hope of Heaven, where one day Jesus will reunite you with your baby for all of eternity. For now, He cradles you in hope as He cradles your baby in Heaven.

About the Author

Ashley Opliger is the founder and executive director of Bridget's Cradles, a national nonprofit that provides hope and healing to over 30,000 bereaved families each year. Host of the award-winning podcast Cradled in Hope, she's been a media guest and contributor to outlets such as Focus on the Family, Live Action, and American Family Association Journal. Ashley is also the leader of Hope Gatherings and Wave of Life, an annual event held on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. She is a sought-after speaker and podcaster, and a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband and two sons. Learn more at BridgetsCradles.com.