Henry Lyte’s childhood was far from idyllic. His mother and younger brother died when he was young, and his father—who had long left the family—distanced himself so much that he even signed letters to Henry as “Uncle” rather than “Father.”

But God provided for Henry in an unexpected way. His school headmaster noticed his abilities, paid his tuition, and essentially took him in as his own.

Lyte later entered the ministry and eventually settled in an English fishing village, where he made it his mission to supply every fishing vessel with a Bible and a collection of songs and devotions.

He went on to write beloved hymns like “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken,” “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” and “Abide with Me.”

When we sing “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken,” we’re reminded of Jesus’ call in Luke 9:23:
“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Lyte’s life reflects that kind of faith—a willingness to follow Christ not because life is easy, but because Jesus is worth it.